The Working-Class Push for Progressive Economic Policies

The following article by Alex Rowell and David Madland was posted on the Center for American Progress Progressive Action Fund website April 17, 2017:

Workers tour a construction site in Boston, May 2017. Credit: Getty/David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe

Pundits and policymakers are increasingly talking about the importance of reaching out to working-class Americans. Unfortunately, discussions of the working class are too often based on assumptions and stereotypes rather than evidence about who makes up the working class and what they want. Previous research from the Center for American Progress Action Fund showed that the working class—defined as the members of the labor force without a four-year college degree—is much more diverse than it is typically portrayed: It consists of large numbers of women, workers of color, and service-sector workers as well as the often-discussed white men in goods-producing industries.1 Continue reading “The Working-Class Push for Progressive Economic Policies”

Biden Gives Midterm Pep Talk at Rebooted Retreat

The following article by Simone Pathé was posted on the Roll Call website February 7, 2018:

Former vice president says Democrats need to not lose focus on working class

Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. speaks during the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference in the Capitol Visitor Center auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. Credit: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call

Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. took the stage at House Democrats’ retreat on Wednesday to cheers of “Let’s go, Joe!” and a solitary cheer of, “Run Joe, run!”

He dismissed the remark, but told the room he’ll do whatever he can to help Democrats win the House majority in November.

“We have a real opportunity to take back the House,” Biden said, before suggesting there’s a chance Democrats could flip the Senate, too.

Democrats need to gain 24 seats to win a House majority. Democrats must pick up two Senate seats, but are currently defending 10 seats in states President Donald Trump won in 2016. Continue reading “Biden Gives Midterm Pep Talk at Rebooted Retreat”